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A. W. O. ARNOLD 81; G. MORRI-LL.

METAL SHBARING MACHINE.

No. 279.314. Patented June 12,1883.

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N. PtTERS. PMm-Lflhflinpher, Wnhinglom D. C.

(No Model.) V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. W. 0. ARNOLD & O. MORRILL.

METAL SHEARING MACHINE.

No. 279,314. Patented June 12,1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

; AMOS \V. C. ARNOLD, OF l :llO\".I,l)ENC.l l, RHODE ISLAND, AND CHARLES MORRILL, OF NE? YORK, N. Y.

METAL-SHE'ARING MACHINE.

SPiCIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 279,314, dated June 12, 1883.

i Application filed April 8, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

. Be it known that we, AMos W. C. ARNOLD,

' of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, and CHARLES MORRILL,

of the city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal-Shearing Machines, of which. the fol lowing is a specification.

gearing, or leversby which the initial power is multiplied or concentrated at the terminal or shear end of the system, so as to exert great force uponthe shear-blade, as isneeessary to sever thick sheets or bars of metal. It will be readily understood, however, that such arrangements of the mechanical powers, where great force is to be exerted, are attended with several serious objections. Thus the parts have to be made very large and heavy in order to obtain the necessary strength and stiffness to resist the he. v'y strains without springing or breaking, which necessarily renders the construction quite expensive and cumbersome. Moreover, the friction of the large parts un der the heavv strains is very great and the application of the power comparatively indirect and wasteful.

.Now, the aim of our invention is to obviate these serious objections, andto this end we have devised a simple, powerful, and compact form of hydraulic shearing-machine, which consists,

briefly, of an upper and lower head or abutment, joined by two strong thrust-columns, with a hydraulic cylinder affixed to the upper head between the columns, with the ram protruding therefrom downward and abutting directly against a movable shearslide, which slides at each end on the said columns, and is disposed in true central or diametrical position i with the rain and with thecenters of the columns, and acts in conjunction with a fixed shear-blade, arranged in coincident position upon the lower head and affixed at each end to the base of the columns. By this means we produce a comparatively simple, compact, and

cheap machine of great strength and scope,

which applies the power to the shear in the most direct manner possible, and works almost without friction, and is of course capable of exerting an almost irresistible force to sever the largest masses of metal which in practice it may be required to divide.

()ur invention also consists in a number of in'lportant minor features, and in the special construction and arrangement of parts, ashereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 of the drawings annexed presents a front elevation of our improved shearingmachine, and Fig. 2 a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a central sectional elevation, viewed in the same direction as Fig. 2. tional plan view-011 line a; and Fig. is a sectional detail, illustrating the preferred mode of packing the hydraulic plungers.

As shown in the drawings, the general form of the machine is high and narrow, and is placed preferably in true upright position, as illustrated. The machine should of course be placed on a suitable base or foundation and steadied by stay-rods or braces, which, however,are not shown, as their use is obvious. The frame of the machine consists of two strong, fiat, metallic heads, a a, preferably of square form, joined by the four steadying-rods b b b b and by the two strong columns 0 e. The heads a a. are made of solid plates of metal, very the steadyingrods I) pass through holes in each corner of the plates (4 a, with heads 011 the lower ends of the rods to abut against the base of, the lower plate, and with nuts screwed on-the upper ends of the rods against the top of the upperpla-te, a. The cylinders d e of two hydraulic rams of different size are arranged centrally on the top of the machine, between the cluster of rods 1) and columns 0 c, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 8. The larger cylinder (1 is directed downward, and receives the large ram f, which moves the shear downward-to produce the cut, while the smaller cylinder 0 is directed upward and receives the small ram y, which serves to raise the large ram and the shear thereto attached after making the out. These parts are shown best in Fig. 3, where it will also be observed that the two cylinders are preferably made in one piece, and that the Fig. 4is a seedownward between the platesZ, th oug he head of the large cylinder is rounded and into a correspondi1igly-rounded. central concavity or countersinlc'in the under side ofthe upper plate, a, while the smaller cylinder 0 rises from the center of the head of the large cylinder and passes through a large central hole in the plate (1 and extends'aboyethe same, as shown. The smaller cylinder 0 is clamped between. two strong plates, 1 Z,which are set up edgewise on the headplate a, and enter broad shallow recesses cut on opposite sides of the cylinder, by which construction it will be readily seen that the two c \;'linders are thus firmly held in position and suspended centrally in the machine. The lower end of the large cylinder enters alarge circular opening in a light steady frame or spider, h, which is arranged between'and parallel with the head-plates a a, but nearer to the top. plate, a, as shown best in Figs. 3 and'4, by which the cylinder is thus firmly steadiecha its lower end. The spider I1 is also pertoratet'l withholes on oppositesides, through which therods '1) and columnsc' pass, Tubes 13' s'uis round the rods I) 1) between the upper heaghh, and the spider h and between the spider and the lower head, (I, thus serving to kee the heads and the spider at proper fixed dist noes from each other, as will beumlerstood, The rods '1) 7) serve mainly to steady and hold the partsot'the machine together, while the col umns c c are designed 'to resist the great strain exerted by the machine 'in'shearing orj'severing the work, and these columns are hence madclarge and strong and ofsolid rods of steel, as they are subjected to a powerful tensile strain. These columns '0 c are placed central on either side of the machine, or coincident with" the diameter line ofthe hydraulic cylinders," and they pass throughthe head-plates a (1 ",the' spider h, and between the plates Z Z, and are provided with strong heads cc on each end. .The lower heads, 0', of the'columns fit Closely against the base-plate a, whiletheupper heads project above the plates N, 'where two'blocks, k hare clamped by bolts it, like the halves of a j ourn albox', around the endsfot the o6 ni 1s, between the heads and the plates Z Z, andthesej clamp blocks have flanges in on their l ds, which overlap the edges of the plates} Z, as shown best in Figs. 1 and .2, by whichfmeans the several parts named are held in firmfp osi f tion, and are prevented from spreading or be/ coining displaced under the great stra n'whic willjbe exerted through the columns a," be readily understood? The smallraiinor plunger pro ject s up; wardly' from the small cylinder e'aiid eqnneci-gs to the center of a "cross-head, a, ii'hich pl 7 jectsoyer the top of the" machine, "and fr o'n the two ends oi" the cross-headjrdds oe ctend head-plate a and spider h, and con tjto thec, 'a'nd on'the'center of which the liei l o he shear-slide p,whichsli des'freelyionthe columns underpressure, as will be understood. motive deyicemay be a hydraulic accumula' large i'ani or plunger f rests, as fully'slrown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The shear-slide 1) consists of two stroiig'metal plates set edgewise, or with their width Vertical, and clamped closely together by a line of bolts, at each end, just outside of the columns 0, and they have semi circular recesses on their meeting faces at the location of the columns, so as to freely encircle the same, and thus be capable of freely sliding up and down thereon, the junctioning faces of the plates being coincident with the center line of the columns 0 and of the hydraulic cylinder, as shown best in Fig. 3. The lower end of the large ram 1" is rounded convexly, and fits into a corresponding convexity or countersink in the top of the shear-slide and on the middle thereof, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 3, by which construction itwill be notedthat the rai obtains abroad, and firm befriiig against 1 slide and tends'to' center itself ac c Asin'aII eroratedfhig 7?, projects from the M ofthe same he d ndiits into a socket int-he center ofthe co'iiy e y on th'e'slide, and a pin, "(1, driven through the slide and the lug, connects the slide with the ram, but does not the; working-strain of the rain, which is exertedbetween'the c nvex end of the ram andthe' concave seatTon the slide, as will be understood, One ofthe plates forming the sheanslidc p is wi ethan the other, and proj'ects below the same, as seen in. Fig. 3, and the remoy bjle shear-blade r is set into a closefitting-socket cutin the depending portion of the plate, and firmly bolted thereto, as shown also in Figs, land 2, the edge of the blade being coincident fwith the centerline of the columns 0 and "rainy", was shown best. in Fig. Now the fixedtslieai blade s is similarly bolted in a socket on a strong plate, f, whiel is set up edgewise on the base-platen. 'Tliis bladeholding "plate tis recessed at each. end to half encircle the coluinnsc c, and isiclai'npcd thereto bythe straps 'u, sothat it} isthuslieldlin firm position, and the inner face of the bl ade plate 't is coincident with the center of thec'olumns 0 and ,withthe edge ofthe fixed blade 8, which it l oldsfand completely supports, the edge of the fixed plate beingfof cou'r'sej coincident with the edge of the movable blade and with th'e c'entral line'ofjthe machine, as best shown in'Figs. '3 andQ, y

Pipes v w extend from the cylinders of each ram' to a suitable hydraulic motive deyice for chargingthe cylinder with water or other liquid This tor of any suitable kind, or a force-pump open 'atedby'ha'nd' or power, such as generally employed in operatingghydraulic apparfatus. In :Figi 3 we have sho'wnin diagram a siinplear ran emen't for this purpose, in order to jgive a ico'mple understanding of the operation of the Inthiscase thejpipesn w frointhe connect through. suitable,

i may rip n the c'enter of the slide.

, (is and tith three-pump, Ian, and r a'supp'ly and exhaust tank, 1 so that by oper IIO ating the cocks either pipe may be made to communicate with the force-pump, or to empty into the tank,according as either cylinder is to be charged or discharged, as will be readily understood.

O11 reference to Fig. 3 it will be noted that when the large ram is withdrawn to its full extent within its cylinder, as illustrated. the shear slide, with the movable shear-blade,

* will be at the top of its stroke, while the small ram will be projected to its full working extent out of the smaller cylinder, and that this small ram will support the weight of the large ram and the shear-slide and other connections, as will be understood. If the force-pump is now set in mot-ion with the cooks and rams in the position shown, the water will be forced into the cylinder of the large ram, and thus cause it to descend slowly and powerfully, forcing the shear-slide p and blade r downward toward the fixed blades, and at the same time depressing the small ram into its cylinder and expelling the water therefrom through the pipe 10 into the tank y. If a bar or plate of metal. is now placed on the edge of the fixed blade .9, it will be completely out or severed by the descent of the movable blade against the same under the slow but powerful impulse of the hydraulic ram, as will be readily understood, and the largest bars or plates may be thus readily severed by this action as well as small ones, for the power that may be thus exerted hydraulically is almost unlimited, or at least limited only by the strength of the material of the machine. It will also be readily seen that the strength and power ofthis hydraulic machine will far exceed what could possibly be obtained within an equal space by any arrangement of the mechanical powers. Furthermore, in our machine the working-pressure is entirely concentrated upon the work to be severed by the blades, and is applied thereon with absolute directness, and the motion of the ram, which is the chief working part, is almost frictionless, although it may exert a strain of several tons, whereas with the mechanical powers the friction is enormous and the application of the power indirect and wasteful, so that we thus accomplish a most important improvement over former shearing-machines in pow-. er, ease of motion, strength, and compactness. \Vhen the main ram has made a full down stroke, severing the metal placed between the mg the small ram, and with it the slide p and large ram fithe water displaced by the large ram being forced 'backinto the tank y, as will.

be understood. The ascent of the large ram will thus be much quicker than its descent, on account of the comparativelysmall capacity of the small cylinder, which will hence save time in preparing the working-ram for a sec; ond cut, as will be understood.

On reference to Fig. lit will be seen that the edge of one of the shear-blades is straight 01: level, while the edge of the other is recessed or inclined inward toward the center, like an oblique inverted V. \Ve prefer to have the lower blade level and the upper blade recessed, as shown. 'lhisfbrmationoftheblades presents great advantages in cutting metal plates or sheets, for when the upper blade descends against the sheet which is placed on the lower blade it will bear first only at each end or edge of the sheet, and will out gradually through it from each end toward the center, by which means the plate is held more firmly and accurately between the blades while the cut is being produced, and a more easy and clean cut is effected, whereas when the edge of both blades ,is made parallel, as is usual, the edges bear upon the whole width of the plate at once and at the moment of contact tend tobend the plate, or cause it to fly up or twist out of place between the blades, thus requiring considerable effort to hold the plate in position, and frequently making an imperfect cut and misshaping the plate.

-l't will be readily appreciated, on reconsideration, that besides the general advantages of our hydraulic machine, as above stated, its construction and arrangement of parts are very simple, compact, and favorable to great strength, for the hydraulic cylinders are arranged between a cluster of columns and rods, the shear-holding plates p1 and the clamp plates Z Z are set up edgewise in the direction of. strain in their position of greatest strength, where they also tend to further stiffen or brace the heads a a, while thecenter of the ram, the edges of the shear-blades, and the center of the column 0 are all in line with each other, so that the pressure of the ram is applied perfectly central and even upon the sheanblades and in direct line with the sustaining or resisting columns 0 0.

The hydraulic rams may of course be packedin any usual or suitable way. In Fig. 3, for simplicity of illustration, we have shown no packing, but in Fig. 5 we illustrate the form of packing which we prefer. In this case the neck or mouth of the cylinder is a nice working fit for the ram, as shown; but the interior or body of the cylinder is somewhat larger than the ram, and near the mouth a groove is cut around the sides of the cylinder, in which is socketed a double-flanged leather ring, 2, of U shaped or b-shaped section. The outer or larger flange of this ring is socketed snugly in the groove before noted, the base of the ring being seated against the narrow annular neck of the cylinder, while the inner or smaller flange rests against and encircles the ram, and is preferably skived off to aslender taper, so as to be adapted to lie close against the ram, even with the slightest pressure, and it thus makes a most perfect hydraulic packing, which insures a tight, almost- IIO frictionless j oint under slight or great pressure. A split or spiral ring, .2, preferably made of spring-brass, encircles the tapered flange of the leather ring, and always holds it with a slight elastic pressure around the ram, thus serving to keep the packing close to the ram and preventing the possibility ofits becoming misshap on or relaxed. This form of packing-ring will make a perfectly tight j oint, whether the ram is descending under a heavy workingpressure, or whether ascendingunder a slight pressure to expel the water from the cylinder nreparatory to another downstroke, in" which latter case the ordinary hydraulic packing would be lia ble to allow a copious leakage to run out of the end of the cylinder down the sides of the ram.

Such novel features as we may have shown but not claimed in this application we reserve for the subject of a future application.

\Ve are aware that a hydraulic universal metal-working machine has been proposed in which the hydraulic ram moves a crosshead on which is mounted a rotarytool-post or turntable on which a shear-blade holder is aiiixed, and capable of being turned at various angles with the crosshead. Hence so far as this may be considered to have any bearing on our invention we disclaim it; but it is generally distinct from our machine in that in our case the rain abuts directly against the movable shear-slide, always remains in true diametrical position with the center of the ram, and is guided at each end on the two tln-ust-columns which connect the heads of the. machine together. In a similar manner the fixed shear is fixed across the lower abutment and attached to the base of each of the thrustcolumns. By this arrangement the construction is not only very simple and compact, but exeeedingly strong and .rigid, as one part tends to stiffen and brace the others. Thus, as the ram abuts directly against the shear-slide, and as the shear-slide is guided at each end on the thrust-columns, there are fewer parts and less joints between the ram and the blade, and hence there is less spring between the two when at work, and there is no possibility of the shear springing, turning, or twisting out of place under the great strain of the ram in the act of performing the cut, as very commonly occurs with shear-blades which are simply fastened at the center to the ram and left unsupported at each end. Again, the lower shear-plate is fixed across the lower head and tied at each end to the base of the columns, it is also prevented from twisting out of position, and it greatly stiffens the head along its cen- "ter, as itaets thereto as the web of a girder acts to the base-flange. Furthermore, it will be noted that we arrange the fixed shear at the base of the columns with the ram at the top of the columns to force the movable shear downward against the work which is placed on the fixed and lower blade. Hence by this arrangement the heavy metal plate or other piece to be severed may be easily placed on the lower and fixed blade, and then fastened or clamped in the proper position for the de sired cut, and the movable blade may then be allowed to descend upon it without liability of moving the work out of position or necessitating care or adjustment during the descent of the ram; whereas where the ram and the movable blade are placed at the base of the machine the plate to be severed has to be placed on the movable blade, which is then raised by the upward motion of the ram against the fixed plate at the. top of the machine, and by this arrangement it is obvious that the plate cannot be easily held in position, and the motion of the ram is likely to displace the plate, so that care is required to keep its adjustment rightduring the motion of the ram, which is obviously troublesome and objectionable.

\Vhat we claim is.

1. A metal -.shearing machine constructed with a main. cylinder and plunger and a movable shearblade-or holder propelled by said plunger, in combination with a minor cylinder and plunger and operative connections be tween said minor plunger and the shear or main plunger, whereby the minor plunger sup ports the main plunger and its shear, andserves to lift or produce the return-stroke thereof, substantially as herein shown and de scribed.

2. An upright shearirig-machine formed by the con'ibination, with the columns 0 (1, held together at top and bottom, of the inverted ramcylinder (1, fixed between said columns at the top, and the ram f, depending downwardly therefrom, with the two-part adjustable sh earslide 1;, arrangeddirectly beneath said ram, and guided at each of its ends on the columns a 0, together with a stationary shear-plate, 1, fixed at the base of said columns, a minor cylinder, e, and connections, substantially as do scribed, between said minor cylinder and the shear-slide to produce the return-stroke there.

of, as set forth.

3. The combination, with the abutments or heads a c and the columns a 0 connecting them, of the cylinders (Z 0, bearing against the up per one of said abutments, and secured by the plates 1 Z andclamp-bloeks k, with the fixed shear-holding plate if, extending across the other abutment in line with the columns a c, the ram f, working in said cylinder, a shear-slide, 1), propelled thereby in line with the plate t, and means, substantially as described, for connecting the shear-slide to the retracting-cylinder c, as set forth.

4. In a shearing-maclLine, the combination,

umns c c, and cOnnect-ingrods b, of the ramcylinder (1, abutting against and secured to the head a, with the steadying-frame 72, attached to and embracing the lower end of said cylinder, and the supporting-tubes 'i, substantially as herein shown and described.

5. In a hydraulic machine such as set forth, the combination, with the heads a. a and the .with the abutments or heads cc, thrust -col- 7' or extension f, of the two-part adjustable shear-slidep, formed with a concave central recess, in which said ram-head and extension f are centered and socketed, and suitable I 5 guide'rods a 0, substantially as set forth.

AMOS W. O. ARNOLD.

CHAS. MORE-ILL.

Vitnesses J OHN F, LONSDALE, J W. URQUHART. 

